8 WAYS TO BE HAPPIER AT WORK
Work can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be happy at work. In fact, more happiness can help you be more creative and thrive in your career.
Although it’s partly down to your employer to create a healthy working environment, it is possible to create your own sense of happiness when you’re at work.
Here are some of the ways you can be happier at work:
1. Have healthy work boundaries
Feeling overburdened can lead to a lot of unhappiness and resentment due to the added stress, so it’s important to establish healthy boundaries – and stick to them!
Make sure you aren’t taking on too many tasks, as this can quickly lead to burnout. Make a schedule, and don’t volunteer for more work unless you can fit it into your working hours.
You should also ensure that you’re taking all the breaks you’re entitled to, as this is crucial for your mental health. Take a break and get out of the office for a while so you can rest.
2. Improve your work-life balance
Another issue that could be causing some unhappiness is not having the right work-life balance, especially if you’re sticking to your normal working patterns and still feel overwhelmed.
Many employers will consider changes to working hours or flexible working requests as long as they are reasonable, and it could be a solution for you.
Having a better work-life balance can improve your happiness as it creates a more relaxed lifestyle and gives you more free time to pursue other interests or hobbies, spend time with friends and family, or simply relax and take better care of yourself.
3. Focus on your professional development
If you don’t feel fulfilled at work, it could be that you need to develop your skills and move forward with your career. It’s important to feel like you’re growing professionally.
Start by asking your employer if there are any opportunities for growth or development, like a more challenging assignment or training scheme that can help you learn new skills or reach new career milestones.
If this is not an option, you can find ways to develop your skills yourself, like taking courses, reading books, or listening to podcasts that are relevant to your industry.
4. Ask for feedback regularly
Without feedback, it can be hard to know how you’re performing and what your priorities should be. You can find more meaning at work by asking for regular feedback on your performance.
Receiving positive feedback can help you feel more valued, and other feedback can help you identify which areas you need to improve in so you can create an accurate development plan. If your company doesn’t provide feedback regularly, be proactive about asking for it.
5. Avoid workplace drama
A toxic work environment can make you unhappy, even if you love the job itself. Gossip, conflict, complaining, and other unhealthy and negative behavior can have a huge impact.
If this is something that affects you, try to distance yourself from those people. Or, if it’s not possible to avoid them, try to move conversations to more positive topics.
6. Keep work separate from your personal life
It can be hard to focus and be productive at work when you’re focused on your personal life, which is why it’s essential to leave your personal problems at home if possible.
Although no one’s life is perfect, maintaining boundaries between your personal life and work life can help you feel happier and less stressed in your career.
7. Focus on the positives
If you find yourself unhappy a lot of the time at work, try to focus on the positives instead. A simple change of mindset can make all the difference.
Think about the parts of your job that you do like. Every time you start feeling negative, try to steer your thoughts towards the positives instead, even if they are simple things like having a nice view or being friendly with your coworkers.
8. Find a career you love
If you’ve done everything you can and still can’t find any happiness in your current job, it might be time to re-evaluate your career and start looking for an alternative.
Finding a career that you are passionate about or that is meaningful to you will make it more fulfilling. So, think about your skills and interests. Is there another career you would prefer? Even if it means retraining or studying, it can be worth it in the long term.
There are parts of every job that can be tedious or frustrating. Even if you’re not happy at work 100% of the time, finding a job you enjoy will make you feel happier in general.
